July 17, 2012

As we noted in a prior post, under Mike Bloomberg's proposed "Big Gulp Ban," you could buy all the Pepsi in that truck -- as long as you buy it from the grocery store on the left, and not the Mexican restaurant on the right.James King

As you know, Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s idiotic plan to ban soda served in containers larger than 16 ounces makes precisely zero sense; relegating adults to children incapable of making their own decisions aside, the plan will do nothing but hurt New York businesses — all while doing absolutely nothing to trim Gotham’s waistline.

Sadly, Mayor Mike’s dumb idea could become a dumb reality unless New Yorkers speak out, which they have — New Yorkers for Beverage Choice, a group opposed to Bloomberg’s thinking it’s his job to tell us what we’re allowed to eat, has circulated a petition opposing the mayor’s plan, which now has the signatures of more than 60,000 New Yorkers fed up with Bloomberg playing food cop.

Further reading on Bloomberg’s selective/hypocritical persecution of shitty foods:

So far, the group has collected a total of 62,344 signatures, and
hopes to collect even more before the plan faces a public hearing in front of the
Department of Health on July 24.

“These numbers are a testament to the fact that New Yorkers feel this
proposal is arbitrary, ineffective and overzealous,” Eliot Hoff,
spokesperson for NYBC says. “New Yorkers just aren’t going to accept
government dictating what they are allowed to drink, and in what
quantities. It’s not what New Yorkers want or need. And you have to
wonder what’s next – popcorn? Pizza?”

Bloomberg’s stupid plan would prohibit restaurants from serving
“sugary beverages” like soda in containers larger than 16 ounces. The
plan makes the jump from nanny-state-ish to idiotic when grocery stores,
bodegas, and other businesses located just feet from the restaurants
where the ban would be implemented are allowed to sell sugary beverages
in whatever size containers they want.

In other words, if you get a slice of pizza from a restaurant located
next to a grocery store, and want a soda in something that’s slightly
larger than a baby’s sippy cup, all you need to do is walk a few feet to
get your super-sized beverage.

“I
don’t like this law,” he says. “If [the mayor] cares about the health
[the ban should apply to everyone, not just restaurants].”

Barak
says he doesn’t necessarily disagree with banning big sodas, noting that
“sugar is no good for nobody.” But he’s angry because the ban will
drive business away from his store and over to the bodega that’s right
next door. Several other restaurant owners in the neighborhood echoed Barak’s concerns.

“Instead of helping us through this recession, the mayor’s misguided
proposal will target the small business owner with additional
regulations,” Henry Calderon, president of the East Harlem Chamber of
Commerce, says. “Mom and pop shops are struggling to survive, we cannot
force them to act as mother and father to their customers, policing what
they eat and drink.”

Even City Councilwoman Letitia James seems to think the mayor’s plan is about as stupid as the rest of us do.

“We all want a healthier New York, but this just isn’t the way to go
about it,” James says. “My constituents and people across this city
understand the need for real solutions that take into account the
socio-economic landscape of this city and the complexities of people’s
food choices. We need better education and funding for health programs,
not gimmicks.”

In addition to the 62,344 individual members, 675 businesses have
also joined the coalition of those opposed to Bloomberg’s stupid idea.

Click here to find out how you can let the mayor know just how dumb his plan really is.